The effects of foot reflexology on symptoms of discomfort in palliative care: a feasibility study.

Background: In palliative care, the relief of discomfort is sought by an overall approach, combining prescribed medication and additional therapies, such as foot reflexology (FR). The main objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of FR in a population of inpatients in a palliative care unit (PCU).The precariousness of the patients led us to perform a feasibility study and not a cohort study from the outset.

How caregivers view patient comfort and what they do to improve it: a French survey.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are exposed to many sources of discomfort. Most of these are related to the patient's condition, but ICU design or how care is organized also can contribute. The present survey was designed to describe the opinions of ICU caregivers on sources of patient discomfort and to determine how they were dealt with in practice.

Survey of caregiver opinions on the practicalities of family-centred care in intensive care units.

Aims And Objectives: To determine caregiver opinion on their intensive care unit's policies with regard to visiting hours, how families are informed and participate in patient care.

Background: Benefits of improving family access to the intensive care unit, information delivery and participation of families in care have been suggested.

Design: Survey of caregivers working in French-speaking intensive care units.